My First WEC Race!

It’s race day at the WEC, but unfortunately, heavy rain has been falling since morning, leaving the track completely wet. This time, I managed to get a pass for the Porsche hospitality lounge, so I headed to the designated entrance first.

When I arrived at the west gate of Fuji Speedway, staff directed me to a special parking area, where I left the car.

With the rain coming down so hard, they even arranged a Cayenne shuttle to take us from the parking area to the lounge.

We arrived at the lounge area in about a minute.

Then it was up the stairs to the Porsche hospitality lounge on the second floor.

A VIP Atmosphere in the Porsche Lounge

Wow… this place had a real air of exclusivity. From the lounge, we could watch not only the race but also the action in the pits.

Shortly after arriving, we were taken on a pit walk, though unfortunately, photography wasn’t allowed. The Porsche garage had two 919 Hybrids, with team members busily making adjustments. They also had spare parts on hand in case of a mechanical failure or crash, including what looked like bumpers and rear wings.

The cars had German flags applied to them to reflect the drivers’ preferences, but because keeping weight down is a priority, they never paint the cars. The team uses stickers instead, which weigh less than paint. The drivers’ helmets were also ready to go, but since they get soaked with sweat and all sorts of other things, the team had a setup that let them dry the helmets quickly with a hair dryer from below.

We also got to see stacks of tires and the machines used to heat them to a high temperature right up until the race began. There were three complete sets of equipment, which are shipped by air or sea to races around the world. That’s 40 tons of gear.

It really is a world that takes an incredible amount of time, effort, and money. And when so many people are involved and a top team has done everything possible to prepare, I imagine the drivers feel they absolutely have to win.

Whenever a driver wins, they always say, “I’m grateful to the team. We couldn’t have done it without everyone.” After seeing the operation up close, I think I understand why. The drivers race with their lives on the line, carrying the expectations, hopes, and livelihoods of so many people.

Still buzzing from the experience, I returned to the lounge—and there was Porsche driver Brendon Hartley.

His head and face were so small! He hardly seemed real… Amazing. People who compete at the highest level really do have a different kind of presence.

The Race Gets Underway at 11 a.m.

The rain was still coming down, and when the race started at 11 a.m., the fog was so thick it was hard to see ahead. Porsche started from pole position. I had a feeling that Porsche would win again this time—but…

At one point, the race was suspended because the fog was so dense. Around the three-hour mark, there were crashes and collisions, and everyone was glued to the action.

We also got to watch the pit stops up close. The teamwork involved in changing the tires and getting the car back out on track was nothing short of a masterclass.

It was incredible—every movement was precise, with no wasted effort. After hearing more about how the drivers were doing in the race, I was just starting to get into it when thick fog began rolling back over the track. The race was suspended again.

With nothing much to do, people wandered around, ate, chatted, and relaxed. Then the fog gradually began to lift, and word came that the race would resume behind the safety car. Everyone started heading toward the track, buzzing with anticipation.

But soon came another announcement: the race would end as it stood. What a letdown… Toyota’s No. 8 car, which was leading at the time, was declared the winner.

Toyota’s No. 7 car finished second, giving the team a one-two finish. Perhaps Toyota’s determination to win at all costs before Porsche withdrew from the WEC even had the weather on its side.

A race ending because of dense fog—that was a rare experience! lol

I Got Some Autographs

And here’s my WEC souvenir (though “souvenir” makes it sound like I actually competed!)

I got autographs from Porsche Japan President Shimizuki and Porsche Scholarship driver Yuta Uemura. I’m glad I worked up the nerve to ask. Tomorrow, I’m planning to drive around Mount Fuji before heading home. I can’t wait!